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Orientation FAQs

January Orientation agenda for January 16, 2025

New Student Orientation Agenda
Time Event Location Details
9 - 9:30am Orientation Check-In & Continental Breakfast Library Living Room Students will check in with the New Student Orientation staff and receive their welcome packets.
9:30 – 10am University Welcome and Overview Library Living Room Join University Leadership for a warm welcome to the Corsair Family! Discover what it means to join the UMassD community. Learn about the challenges, opportunities, and support available at the college level.
10 – 10:30am Getting Involved at UMassD Library Living Room Learn about why getting involved on campus outside the classroom is important and how to start during your first week.
10:30 – 11am Small Group Meeting: Life at UMassD Various Meet with your Orientation Leaders in small groups.
11 – 12pm Academic Advising Various Meet with your academic advisor to learn about COIN for course selection, degree requirements, and complete your class schedule.
12 – 12:30pm Student Technology & Finance Overview Library 128 Learn about UMass Dartmouth IT: the myUMassD portal, adding Outlook to your phone, student employment, and managing your bill.
12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch The Grove Enjoy lunch at the Grove.
1:30 – 2pm Our Campus and Safety: University Police Auditorium Hear from University Police about campus safety.
2 - 2:30pm Dining Services Auditorium Learn about dining options, meal plans, and locations. Commuter students attend the Commuter Meeting for important information about commuter life.
2:30 – 3pm Housing & Residential Education Various Resident students meet with Housing & Residential Education staff. A dining Services session is also available for meal plan details.
3 – 3:30pm Mental Health, Wellness & Flourishing Auditorium Learn about the importance of mental health and wellness and resources to help you thrive at UMassD.
3:30 – 4pm Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement Auditorium Complete a brief survey to help the University better support you.
4pm Campus Tours/Errands  Departs from Auditorium Take a campus tour or run errands with the help of an Orientation Leader. 
4pm Networking Fair Campus Center Visit tables to learn more about offices like Athletics, Career Center, Religious and Spiritual Life, Health Services, Housing, and more.

Transfer Orientation agenda for January 15, 2025

Transfer Student Orientation Agenda
Time Event Location Details
8:30am Orientation Check-In, Continental Breakfast & Department Tabling Library Living Room Students check in and explore department tabling opportunities.
9 - 9:30am University Welcome and Overview Library Living Room Join University Leadership for a warm welcome to the Corsair Family! Learn about the challenges, opportunities, and support available as you join the UMassD community.
9:30 – 10am Housing, Commuting, and Dining Library Living Room Learn about campus life, commuter student support, and dining options.
10 – 10:30am What’s it like to be a UMassD Student Panel Library Living Room Attend a live Q&A panel with Orientation Leaders to hear about the UMassD student experience.
10:30 – 11am Navigating Finances as a Transfer Student Library Living Room Learn how to manage your bill and navigate finances as a transfer student.
11 – 11:25am Mental Health, Wellness & Flourishing Library Living Room Hear about the importance of mental health and wellness and learn about resources to help you flourish at UMassD.
11:25 – 11:50am Getting Involved at UMassD Library Living Room Learn about opportunities to get involved outside the classroom and how to start during your first week.
11:50am – 12pm University Police Library Living Room Hear from University Police about campus safety.
12:10 - 1pm Lunch The Grove Enjoy lunch at the Grove.
1 – 1:15pm Career Success for Transfer Students Library Living Room Learn how to kickstart your career success while at UMassD.
1:15 – 1:30pm Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement Library Living Room Complete a brief survey to help the University support you better.
1:30pm Academic Advising and COIN Library Still need to learn how to use COIN or sign up for your Spring 2025 courses? Orientation Leaders will escort you to the Library Lobby to meet up with Academic Advisors.
1:30pm Campus Tours Auditorium Have your Spring 2025 courses selected, advising completed, and learned how to use COIN? If so, take a campus tour!
1:30pm Errands Campus Center Need to run errands? Talk to an OL, Campus Store, UMass Pass/Parking, Meal Plan, Res Life, and more!

Orientation is designed to ease you through the many "firsts" of going to college. Through workshops, presentations, and small group discussions, we hope to make the beginning of your college career an exciting and successful experience. You will meet other first-year students and learn more about the community you are joining.

You may select one of four one-day Orientation sessions, or select a two-day, overnight session that provides some extra interactive activities for those who are interested.

If you are attending the one-day orientation

Bring sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable shoes and any medication you may need. Be sure you know your UMassD logon (user name and password) so you can access the myUMassD portal for your email and the COIN student information system. Learn more: COIN 101

If you are attending the two-day, overnight orientation

Bring an overnight bag with sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable shoes, a towel, twin XL sheets, a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag, and any medication you may need. If you play a portable instrument (guitar, harmonica, etc.), bring it along—that may come in handy too—but more about that when you arrive! Finally, be sure you know your UMassD logon (user name and password) so you can access the myUMassD portal for your email and the COIN student information system. Learn more: COIN 101

We've sent an invitation to your home about family orientation.

Students requiring special accommodations during Orientation may contact the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: 508.999.8008. Please provide as much advance notice as possible to allow for coordination of requested accommodations. 

Office of Student Accessibility Services works with faculty, staff, and students to ensure that appropriate academic adjustments are made that allow all students equity inside the classroom. Students who have documented disabilities on our campus are afforded a variety of services to accommodate their individual needs. Contact the Office for more information: 508.999.8711.

In compliance with the Massachusetts legal drinking age and the UMass Dartmouth alcohol and drug policy, alcoholic beverages are not allowed at New Student Orientation. Violators of the alcohol and drug policy will be dismissed from Orientation and could face University disciplinary action, which may result in dismissal from the University.

Please make us aware of any special dietary needs or allergies. Contact the Orientation Hotline so we may make the necessary arrangements prior to your arrival: 508.910.6497 or orientation@umassd.edu.

We require you to take placement tests prior to Orientation. This will not impact your admission to UMass Dartmouth, but it enables advisors to select appropriate math courses and levels for your major.

Information for new students, such as placement testing and online orientation, may be found at: myUMassD Student Resources.

A standard first year experience fee will be on your tuition bill. This is a one-time, non-waivable fee. Orientation is mandatory, but even if you are unable to attend because of emergencies or unavoidable conflicts, the fee will remain on your bill.

The fee that every new first year student is assessed is the First Year Experience fee. This fee is mandatory, cannot be waived and covers far more than June Orientation. The fee includes the staffing, training, meals and materials provided at all orientations, as well as the Weeks of Welcome programming every August for the entire incoming class. Beyond that, this fee supports additional events impacting the first-year experience throughout the year, including academic advising sessions, course selection workshops for spring course selection, financial literacy programs, time management workshops, socials, stress relief experiences and more.

Financial aid in the form of student employment, grants, scholarships, and loans may be available. More information: 508.999.8632.

A Veteran's Affairs official is on staff in the Registrar's Office to handle veteran's benefits and explain policies and procedures related to the GI Bills. Contact: 508.999.8615. More information: Veterans Services.

Other questions?

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